Chandler's colleagues nominated her for the LifeChanger of the Year award, which recognizes K-12 school district employees who make a difference in the lives of their students. She was selected from more than 435 nominees nationwide.

She is also a top-three finalist for the national $10,000 grand prize.

Chandler lives just down the street from the school and helps students and their families get access to the resources they need like food to hold them through the weekend, as well as helping furnish homes and arranging doctor's appointments.

Colleagues also said she created a "parents' report card" to acknowledge parents' involvement in their child's life.

She is considered "the heart and soul of the Ecceleston community" by those who know her.

On May 2, Chandler will travel outside of the U.S. for the first time when she goes to the Bahamas for the national LifeChanger of the Year awards ceremony, where the grand prize winner will be announced.

ASTRONAUT LAST JULY BUT THERE WERE NO LEAKS THIS TIME. AN ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE GETTING A SURPRISE HONOR TODAY AND THE BEST COULD BE YET TO COME. BETTY CHANDLER A PARENT RESOURCE LIAISON WAS NAMED A LIFE CHANGER OF THE YEAR FOR HER YEARS OF WORK FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. ONCE MORE, THE 75-YEAR-OLD CHANDLER HAS BEEN NAMED A TOP THREE FINALIST FOR THE NATIONALS $10,000 GRAND PRIZE. IT'S JUST SO WONDERFUL THAT YOU CARE ENOUGH ABOUT WHAT WE TRY TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AND I'M JUST SO DELIGHTED! [ CHEERING ] CHANDLER WILL FIND OUT IF SHE IS THE TOP WINNER AT AN AWARDS CEREMONY IN THE BAHAMAS ON MAY TWO. SHE BEGAN HER CAREER WITH THE DISTRICT AS AN INTERN BACK IN 1959. AMAZING SHE IS STILL WORKING AT 75. CAB YOU IMAGINE ALL THE KIDS SHE'S SEEN GROWN UP.